NRA All-Access Video: Origins of the NRA

by
  • NRA Staff
posted on November 17, 2015
Videos News Extras Rifles Historical Rifles
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Happy Birthday, NRA! Founded on Nov. 17, 1871, the NRA has been the worldwide leader in firearm education and training. If you have ever wondered—or have been asked—how and why the NRA was formed, this video from NRA All Access is an excellent primer, taking you back to its Civil War roots up to its current 5 million+ strong membership base.














In this article
history of the nra origin, nra all access, nra founding, nra history

Related Stories

More like this from around the NRA

Revolvers Top 2600 in Hands of the “Babe” | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Revolvers Top 2600 in Hands of the “Babe” | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

NRA All-Access Video: Origins of the NRA | An Official Journal Of The NRA

NRA All-Access Video: Origins of the NRA | An Official Journal Of The NRA

NRA Blog | Watch a Preview of Tonight's NRA All Access

NRA Blog | Watch a Preview of Tonight's NRA All Access

NRA Blog | Jessie Duff takes home 3rd National Single Stack Title

NRA Blog | Jessie Duff takes home 3rd National Single Stack Title

Latest

More
Making B&P Shotshells 1
Making B&P Shotshells 1

Making Baschieri & Pellagri Shotshells

Italy is known for its many makers of fine-quality shotguns, but what many might not known is that Italy is also home to one of the industry's top manufacturers of shotshells for hunting and sporting use: Baschieri & Pellagri.

News, ARTV

Rifleman Interview: Volquartsen Firearms

Several of Volquartsen’s excellent rimfire firearms were on display at “Plinkapalooza” earlier this year.

News, Handguns
Rifleman Interview Volquartsen Firearms F Rifleman Interview Volquartsen Firearms F

Army Purchases EOTECH Electro-Optics

EOTECH recently announced that the U.S. Army had purchased 14,000 of its lasers, holographic optics and magnifiers for use on the military's M7, XM8 and M250 platforms.

News, Optics
Eotech Supplies Eotech Supplies

A Shorter 2011: Springfield Armory 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5" AOS

In its latest 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5" AOS model, Springfield Armory has combined features from its Standard Prodigy and its Prodigy Compact models.

News, Guns
SA Prodigy 35 01 SA Prodigy 35 01

Going the Distance: Winchester's New Supreme Long Range Ammunition

Winchester’s new Supreme Long Range ammunition means it’s now easier to “go long” when on the hunt for game.

News, Ammunition
Winchester’s new Supreme Long Range ammunition Winchester’s new Supreme Long Range ammunition

36 New Rifle Suppressors for 2026

Today's suppressor makers have developed a host of new rifle suppressors that reduce weight and overall length while still offering impressive sound reduction.

News, Gear
New Rifle Suppressors for 2026 New Rifle Suppressors for 2026
More Latest Stories

Interests

More
American Rifleman Television
Making Baschieri & Pellagri Shotshells | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Making Baschieri & Pellagri Shotshells | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Baschieri & Pellagri, Shotshells, Shotguns
ARTV
I Have This Old Gun
I Have This Old Gun: Walther P38 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun: Walther P38 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Carl Walther GmbH, Walther P38, World War II
I Have This Old Gun
Armed Citizen
The Armed Citizen® Aug. 17, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 17, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Armed Citizen, The Armed Citizen Blog, The Armed Citizen Online
Armed Citizen
American Rifleman News
Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Hunting Show Attendance Shattering Records | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Hunting Show, Attendance, Great American Outdoor Show
News
American Rifleman Reviews
The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Colonel’s Caliber in an Interesting Rifle—.35 Whelen | An Official Journal Of The NRA

.35 Whelen, 35 Whelen, Colonel's Caliber
Reviews
NRA Gun of the Week
Gun of the Week: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Gun of the Week: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX | An Official Journal Of The NRA

EAA Corp, EAA Girsan Witness 2311, EAA CMXX Witness2311 Double Stack
NRA Gun of the Week
New For 2026
Winchester Super Match: New Competition Ammunition for Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Winchester Super Match: New Competition Ammunition for Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

winchester, ammo, ammunition
New For 2026
The Keefe Report
The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Philip Schreier, The Keefe Report, Mark Keefe
The Keefe Report
More Interests


Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE (IT'S FREE!)

GET IN TOUCH

CONNECT WITH US

SECTIONS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NRA MEMBERSHIP

EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS

NRA Publications
American Hunter
Shooting Illustrated
America's 1st Freedom
NRA Women
NRA Family
Shooting Sports USA
Hunters Leadership Forum
NRA Blog
Online And Print Nra Publications

Take Your NRA Magazine With You!

NRA Logo On Blue

Join The NRA And Our Growing Community

AR Footer NRA Explore 01

Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer

AR Footer Friends 02

Attend A Friends Of NRA Event Near You

Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Corporate Ethics
Warnings
FAQ
© Copyright 2026 National Rifle Association